I would very much appreciate some input from you guys on what cam and headers you feel would fit my needs.
I have a 97 coupe
A4 (built and hardened) w/ TCI SF3000 stall
3:15 gears
Vararam V1b intake
Z06 TI catback exhaust
All necessary changes up to this point have been made to the PCM.

I’m looking at doing cam, headers and Z06 intake manifold only. I want a cam that will make its power below 6200 rpm. I will change springs and pushrods on my stock heads. I would also like to maintain very close to stock drivability, very little or no lope at idle, ect….. I’m not looking to be the fastest horse in the barn but I would like to see at least 350 rwhp when I’m done. If I can maintain the stock drivability and get more power I’m all for that! As for the headers I had pretty much made up my mind but then read a few posts on fitment and headers hanging and not fitting up in the tunnel has me rethinking my choice, so any header input is appreciated also. I have talked to a couple of tuners so I have their input but sure would like some more from you guys, especially anyone who is running an A4, 3:15 gears and a 3000 stall converter.

Mark

 

350rwhp, do all the bolt on's: ie. intake, headers etc.with a tune, you should be VERY close without going in to the engine for heads and cam.

 

Check out Vinci Performance, they have a pretty good cam description. I just did QTP headers and am very happy with the results. I am now looking at cams and basically want the same as you. I am trying to find a cam that will provide enough lift for the stock heads but flow well should I ever decide to upgrade heads. I am looking at something like a 224/224 with about .560 in lift and either 112 or 114 lsa. Some of the Vinci cams fall right on these numbers as do Thunder Racing and others.

 

I hadn't heard of any problems with headers not fitting under the tunnel. Some may hang lower which could cause a problem if you've dropped it beyond stock bolts, but other than that, they should all fit resonably well. I've for the FLP's which are true bolt ons, but you jsut have to arrange the bolts so they don't hang lower than the actual slip connector. I figure the rage nowadays is the LG's, Kooks and other SS headers which you don't have to worry about rust as much as the coated steel FLPs. Avoid SLP like a plague as I heard they are a pain to install.

I'm making about 350 with a Comp Cams XER 220/220 .581 115+2 lsa, UD pulley, and FLP headers. It was dyno'd unlocked with a 2800 stall and 3.42 gears. Drivability is good, almost like stock with a slight occasional shake when the car is cold. Idle's at 800. Car makes pretty good power mid range. It's my daily driver and I've had no problems whatsoever.

If i could do it all over again, I probably would have gone a little bigger on the cam, maybe a 224 or so, but that's just me.

 

Hi Chris,
Thanks for the info! I'm glad you posted as I follow your threads and input quite often here. I hope you don't mind but I do have a couple more questions. I would like to do a cam along with the headers and the Z06 intake to go with my other mods. If I still want more I could do heads but would wait to see how these changes work out. What would you suggest for a cam to go with the bolt-ons? I've been told a 224R Camshaft: 224/224, .579"/.579", 115 LSA would work well. I would also change springs and pushrods. Input? Also IF and that’s a big if, I go with heads later this cam would work well will a set of AFR 205's.

Vettnuts,
Just read your post. Thanks for the input! I will take a look at Vinci Performance. I notice you are looking at a little less lift but less LSA also. Does the lower lift, less LSA make as much power as the higher lift, more LSA? Comparison? Is lower lift easier on springs meaning longer life to a set of springs?

KKu77,
Thanks for pointing out my goof-up on the headers not fitting under the tunnel! :bb That was a poor description on my part! I did read a couple of threads on headers not fitting the way the purchaser would have liked them to (cats, flanges, pipes hanging down). I would suppose some of the problems could be the install or an imperfection with that particular set of headers when they were made. I have since talked to several header manufacturers and was assured that their headers will fit just fine and if they don't they will back their product and make sure I'm satisfied! What would you expect to gain rwhp wise by going to the .224 cam? What lift and LSA would you go with? Thanks for the help!

I think there are probably more than a few of us that would like to increase performance somewhat but retain the drivability of our cars that we all enjoy so much! It's nice to have input from you guys that have done this already and know how your combination turned out.

Mark

 

I think that cam is perfect for your needs and yes it is a prime cam for the 205s! mill the heads for more compression!

 

The stock heads don't breath too well past .550 lift, so unless you are looking to new heads, higher lift means you need to consider the springs, push rods, etc. a little more. I am searching for a sweet spot to minimize the stress on the valve train for longevity but still be able to put on better heads later if I want. I have also been recently bitten by the Magnacharger bug too, so who knows where this is going to end up. Although, one place I know I am going to end up is in the dog house